Little Lord Fauntleroy

Mrs. Errol is the archetype of the mother as the nurturer of emotional and spiritual growth, and the epitome of feminine dignity and beauty in 19th century America and England. She’s also an archetypal innocent, believing in the supreme value of morality and simplicity. She believes that her purpose is to be supportive, selfless, and to uphold her values without compromise. She exhibits this in her devotion to nurturing Cedric, her refusal to poison Cedric against Dorincourt because it would hurt them both, and her opposition to fighting Minna’s claim to the lordship in her belief that Minna and her son have as much a right to it as she and Cedric.

As with many of the other characters, Mrs. Errol’s personality and past is reflected in her appearance: “she had a pretty, sorrowful, young face, and a very tender, innocent look in her large brown eyes,–the sorrowful look that had never quite left her face since her husband had died” (28). She also wore this sorrowful look before Cedric Errol, Sr. married her when she was an orphan working for a rich woman (3). The facets of her appearance correspond to the facets of her personality that make her the epitome of the perfect woman in 19th century America and England: pretty (gentile), sorrowful (showing her devotion to her late husband), innocent (moral), and tender (nurturing). Importantly, she is also forgiving, accepting Dorincourt’s offer to life with him and Cedric even after he alienated her for so long.

The narrator never describes Mrs. Errol’s inner-life, and she remains a static, flat character, best understood, like Fauntleroy, as a lesson in morality than a realistic portrait of a person. Along with Fauntleroy, she serves as a foil to Dorincourt and the bankrupt, superficial version of nobility and selfish morality he represents.

Lord Dorincourt is the archetype of the cynical, jaded, and miserable old ruler. He represents a corrupted version of nobility that prizes self-interest and status over generosity and fellowship. As such, Lord Dorincourt is a foil to the protagonist, Cedric, who represents true nobility. Dorincourt’s appearance hints at the latent possibility of goodness in him, as “He had a handsome, grim old face, with an aquiline profile, a long white mustache, and an obstinate look” (253)—but also severe and old, indicating who he has become: “the tall gray old man, with his handsome, fierce, eagle face” (189).

Lord Dorincourt’s selfishness prevents him from experiencing the finer pleasures of life: “He had been so selfish himself that he had missed the pleasure of seeing unselfishness in others, and he had not known how tender and faithful and affectionate a kind-hearted little child can be, and how innocent and unconscious are its simple, generous impulses” (103).

He didn’t care for his children when they were young because they didn’t interest him, and when his eldest sons grew spoiled by wealth and wounded by his inattention, he cursed them, hating that they didn’t reflect well on him. He loved his youngest son, Cedric Sr., because he displayed all the qualities of a true nobleman, but Dorincourt was also bitter and angry that primogeniture barred Cedric Sr. from inheriting the title. When Cedric Sr. married Mrs. Errol, Dorincourt felt betrayed due to his hate for Americans and disowned his son. This is the final straw that cements his conviction that the world is unfair, and that the only sure thing is the pleasure of serving yourself.

In some ways, Dorincourt is the roundest character in the book. In the unfairness of having his most noble son be denied his title, there is a partial reason for Dorincourt’s bitterness and cynicism. Cedric’s character is attributed to his upbringing, but this makes him so infallible that he can’t be considered a truly round character. However, Dorincourt is also archetypal, which is to say flat, in many ways. No reason is given for his disinterest in his eldest sons or his lifelong obsession with wealth and status. He is just naturally described to be that way. He’s doubtlessly the most dynamic character, having a larger arc than anyone else. While he doesn’t become as good as Fauntleroy, he changes from a miserable, selfish, and grim old nobleman into a happy man who learns the value of generosity and love.

Silas Hobbs is a stout, grumpy man who owns a grocery store near where Cedric lives in New York. Cedric befriends him, breaking through his surly exterior with his talkativeness and unguarded manner. Hobbs speaks in his own idiosyncratic, incorrect way, indicating his lack of education. He’s described as unintelligent, unexciting, and lonely, especially after Cedric leaves (226).

Hobbs is a stock character of a grouch, but he is nonetheless dynamic and has an inner life that is shown on page. He’s bereaved in Cedric’s absence and shows his fierce loyalty to his friend by staying in contact with him, trying to learn about his new life, and defending him against Minna’s fraudulent claim. He hates aristocrats, but when he arrives in England to support Cedric against the false claim, he becomes so enamored of the aristocracy that he decides to stay in Erlesboro. He also stays to protect Cedric from the corrupting influence of the aristocracy, suggesting that there was a ring of truth in his discarded hatred. He’s nonetheless a changed man, having learned the importance of friendship and an open mind.

Dick is an observant, street-smart shoeshine in New York who Cedric befriends and later helps buy him his own shoe-shining business. Working in New York, Dick “learned to keep his eyes open and his wits about him” (264). He’s excited by difficult situations, such as figuring out how to stop the fraudulent claim on Fauntleroy’s title after he learns the claimant is Minna, the estranged wife of his brother Ben. He’s loyal to Cedric, who in turn admires Dick. Dick gives Cedric a red silk handkerchief when he leaves for England, which Cedric cherishes as a symbol of their friendship. Dick’s savviness, loyalty, and goodwill is rewarded when Lord Dorincourt decides to pay for his entire education in England. Dick is a flat and static character.